Episode 7: The Engineering Design Process
Join host Joe Hanson and MIT Associate Professor Amos Winter for an enlightening exploration of the engineering design process and innovation in emerging markets. In this episode of Empowering Engineering Educators, discover how imagination meets practical problem-solving through Winter’s groundbreaking work, including the development of the Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC) – an innovative wheelchair design for challenging terrain in developing regions.
Learn how Winter’s team transformed traditional wheelchair design by working directly with users in Tanzania, creating an affordable, repairable solution for rural mobility. The episode highlights the critical role of understanding user needs, embracing failure as a learning tool, and the power of simplicity in engineering solutions.
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In this episode
Key Topics Covered:
- The essential steps of the engineering design process.
- Balancing creativity with practical constraints.
- The importance of stakeholder collaboration in design.
- Real-world applications in developing markets.
- The future of engineering design in the age of AI.
- Advice for aspiring engineers and educators.
Brought to you by Siemens
This episode is presented by Siemens, your partner in transforming high school engineering education. Explore Siemens’ project-based curriculum, advanced engineering software, classroom management tools, and professional development resources—designed to empower the next generation of innovators.
About Empowering Engineering Education
Hosted by PBS’s Joe Hanson (Be Smart), this podcast explores strategies, insights and resources for high school engineering classrooms. Hear from educators and experts as they share project-based learning techniques, real-world applications and innovative ways to make engineering exciting and accessible for all students.
Empowering Engineering Educators
“Empowering Engineering Educators” is an insider’s guide to transforming engineering education. Hosted by PBS’s Joe Hanson (Be Smart), this bi-weekly podcast delivers practical strategies, expert insights, and game-changing resources for high school engineering classrooms. Each 45-minute episode features leading educators and industry experts sharing real-world applications, project-based learning techniques, and innovative teaching methods that make engineering accessible and exciting for all students. From facilitating group projects to integrating cutting-edge technology, we’re here to help you inspire the next generation of engineers.
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